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Fayette County schools launch partnership with TCAT Stanton to expand CTE options
Summary
Fayette County Public Schools and TCAT Stanton unveiled a partnership to offer high-school students daily, certificate-based instruction in programs such as automotive technology and welding, with opportunities for OSHA and industry credentials and dual enrollment college credit.
Fayette County Public Schools announced a new partnership with Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) Stanton aimed at expanding career and technical education for high-school students.
Director of Schools Dr. Don McPherson introduced the program during the Education, Sports and Career & Technical Education Committee meeting, saying the initiative grew from curriculum revisions, budget considerations and changes to Tennessee Career and Technical Education requirements. Dr. Davis, vice president of TCAT Stanton, outlined programs that will be available, including automotive technology and welding, and said participating students will attend about two-and-a-half hours each school day for certificate-based training and required instructional clock hours.
The district and TCAT said students can earn industry-recognized credentials while still enrolled in high school and may receive OSHA 10, equipment-operation and welding certifications. Students entering with prior coursework or experience will be assessed and placed at the appropriate instructional level rather than repeating completed work. TCAT representatives noted opportunities for dual enrollment and credit transfer to institutions such as the University of Tennessee at Martin and the University of Memphis.
Board members questioned enrollment levels, class-size requirements, transportation and campus security. Dr. McPherson said informational meetings for parents and students will be held before enrollment and that a bus monitor will accompany students traveling between district campuses and TCAT Stanton. TCAT representatives described student identification badges, electronic check-in procedures and ongoing attendance monitoring, and Mr. Hodgson, vice president of workforce development for TCAT Jackson, emphasized employer partnerships and high job-placement rates for TCAT graduates.
The committee received the presentation for information; no final Board action on program implementation was recorded during the committee meeting. The committee discussion was forwarded to the full Board for consideration as part of regular Board business.
